Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 2 - Day 10: Emirates Team NZ beat Victory Challenge and send Desafío Español to the semifinals

Emirates Team NZ gave the Spanish a very appreciated gift by beating Victory Challenge although it initially seemed as a unbelievable nightmare and emotional roller coaster for the tens of thousands of Valencian spectators ashore and offshore.

Dean Barker and without being under extreme pressure from the Swedes grossly miscalculated his timing in the prestart and crossed the starting line 18 seconds after Victory Challenge. The kiwis accelerated NZL-92 and went all the way to the right in what proved to be an excellent choice. They took advantage of a 15-degree right shift and managed to close the gap to 10 seconds at the top mark.

The tables turned when halfway through the first downwind leg, the Swedes gybed and went to the left, while Emirates Team NZ found more pressure on the right. As a result, they managed to close the gap and the two boats came neck and neck at the leeward gate. The New Zelanders rounded the right mark 8 seconds ahead of Victory Challenge and from that point not only did they never lose the leadership of the race, they increased the margin to 21 seconds at the top mark and to 36 seconds at the finish line.

I had never seen before so many Spanish spectators being so happy with a kiwi victory.

Prestart of the race between Emirates Team NZ and Victory Challenge. It was the tripping point, when Dean Barker grossly miscalculated the remaining 40 seconds until the start. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One second before the start Emirates Team NZ were trailing Victory Challenge by an unthinkable margin. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

NZL-92 crossed the starting line 18 seconds behind the Swedes. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Nevertheless, a combination of a right wind shift and superior boat speed allowed Emirates Team NZ to power ahead. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway through the first downwind leg, Victory Challenge made the error to gybe and go to the left. The New Zealanders took advantage of the continued pressure on the right. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The two boats arrived neck and neck at the leeward gate. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rounding of the leeward gate was very close. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ started the second upwind leg with an 8-second lead. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Once again, the New Zealanders sticked to the right side of the course on the final leg. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The victorious NZL-92 crosses the finish line and hands the Spanish a nice gift. Valencia, 8 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing